Garment identification



.lume 25, 1 w. s. MINES GARMENT IDENTIFICATION Filed March 1o, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATT-ORNEYS W. s. HINEs 2,205,724

GRMENT IDENTIFICATION Filed March 10, 1959 4 SheecS-SheelI 2 INVENTOR W. 5. HINES GARMENT IDENTIFI CATI 0N Filed March 10, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 25 1 w. s. HINEs 2,205,724

GARMENT IDENTIFICATION Filed March l0, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 QWNI .www www.

ATTORNEYS Wma/0745,22

Patented June 25, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT IDENTIFICATION Wentworth S. Hines, Burlington, N. C.

Application March l0, 1939, Serial No. 261,075

12 Glaims.

My invention relates to the identication of garments in cleaning and pressing establish-` ments, and has among its objects and advantages the lprovision of an improved labeling device. f The invention embodies mechanism provided with a roll of tape together with means for advancing the tape in predetermined lengths and severing the same to provide labels which are simultaneously stapled to the graments and automatically numbered for identication purposes.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine in accordance with my invention; n Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a garment illustrating one of the numbered labels stapled to the garment:

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure l; f

Figure 5 is a view taken from the position indicated byline 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8 6 of Figure '1;

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7. v

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a base I0 to which I attach a side wall I2 and a front wall I4. To the upper margins of the walls I2 and I 4 I position a work support or table I6, which is made secure by screws I8. Wall I2 hasv its lower edge resting on the base I0, and a plate 20 is welded to the wall I2 and is ilxedly related to the base by screws 22. Wall I4 is secured to the base by screws 24.

A roll 26 of tape 28 is rotativelymounted on 40 a shaft 30 mounted on a bracket 32 bolted `at 34 to the side plate I2` Upon the shaft 30 I mount a compression spring 36 arranged to bear against the reel 38 which carries the Aroll 28 to restrain the same from accidental unwinding. 'Ihe spring is maintained under tension by a wing nut 40 threaded to the shaft 30, the latter being iixedly related to the bracket 32.

Web 28 passes between a feed roll 42 and a pressure roll 44. Figure 'I illustrates the feed roll 42 as being provided with abrasive coated surfaces 46, Immediately above the rolls 42 and 44 I position a web guide 48, which includes a throat 50 facilitating entry of the web. I groove the feed roll 42 at 52 to provide accommodation for the lip 54. Figures 4 and 8 illustrate the normal position of the guide 48 at which time the web 28 projects partly across the work support I6 in angular relation therewith. 'I'he projecting end 56 of the tape is spaced some distance above the face of the work support so that the garment 5 may easily be slipped underneath the tape preparatory to cutting, attaching and numbering the label to be cut from the tape.

One wall of the guide 48 is pivotally mounted on a shaft sa, and the guide 1s yieldingly urged to 1 the normal position of .Figures 4 and 8 by reason of a spring 80 convoluted upon the shaft with one end bent underneaththe guide and the other end secured to the side wall I2. Roller 44 is loosely mounted on a shaft 62, and the shaft is w xedly related to a support 64 pivoted at 66 intermediate its ends to the side wall I2, see Figure 6. Shaft 62 is located at one end of the support 64, while to the other end of the support I connect a tension spring 88 by a screw 'I0 and anchor the 20 other end of the spring to the side wall I2 by a screw 12. I'hus the roller 44 is spring urged in the direction of the roller 42 for pressing the web 28 between the two rollers so as to impart positive movement to the web as the roller 42 25 is rotated. Upon the core 14 of the roller 44 I mount a rubber sleeve 16 to increase the tractive properties of the roller.

To one end of the roller 42 I attach a ratchet wheel 18. The ratchet wheel is keyed to the so roller at 80, see Figure 8, and the two parts rotate as a unit. The roller and the ratchet wheel are loosely mounted on a shaft 82 ixedly related to the wall I2. Roller 42 is constrained for rotation in one direction only through the medium of a 5 latch bar 84 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot 86 threaded into the wall I2. One end of the latch bar is arranged to have successive engagement with the teeth 88 of the ratchet wheel 18, and that end of the bar is yieldingly 40 urged against the ratchet wheel by reason of a tensionspring 80 connected at 92 with the bar and at 94 with the side plate I2. Thus according to Figure 6, the wheel 42 is free to rotate in the direction of the arrow 96, and means for rotating the wheel comprises ahook 98 at one end of a bar |00 having its other end pivotally connected upon a pin .|02 i'lxedly related to a disc |04, see Figures 7, 4 and 6. Hook 98 is yieldingly urged against the ratchet wheel 18 by reason of 50 a tension spring |06 having one end connected at I08 with the bar |00 and its opposite end connected at IIO to the side wall I2. l

Disc I 04 is bored for the reception of one end or a shaft nz, which shaft is made secure by 5i reason of a set screw H4. see Figure 7. 'I'he other end of the shaft ||2 is anchored in a brake cylinder ||6 xedly connected with a shaft ||8 driven by a speed reducer |20, see Figures 1 and 8. Speed reducer |20 may comprise any one of the many standard types and need not bev described in further detail. Suice it to say that the speed reducer is driven by an electric motor |22 bolted at |24 to the base l0. A cam bar |26 is also xedly related to the shaft I8 by a set'screw |28. Thus the disc |04, the brake cylinder v||6 and the cam bar |26 rotate as a unit, and the direction of rotation is indicated by the arrow |30. Accordingly, pin |02 and shaft ||2 function as cranks because of their eccentric relation with respect to the axis of the shaft ||8.

Motor |22 is controlled by a conventional switch |32, see Figure '1, which switch includes the usual manually actuated trip |34 extending into a bore |36 in a plunger 38 positioned vertically and slidable in a bore |40 in the work support |6. I provide a flanged end |42 on the plunger' |38 to facilitate manual thrust downwardly of the plunger for closing the switch |32. A bracket |44 is connected with the'switch and is bolted to the Work support I6 for supporting the switch. Figure 7 illustrates the switch in its open position, which is also true of Figure 4.

One end of a rod |46 is threaded into the lower end of the plunger |38 and its lower end is provided with a bend |48 which extends loosely through an opening in one end of a bar |50 `pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a shaft |52 carried by a bracket |54 screwed to the base I0, as at |56 in Figure 7. To the end of the bar |50 opposite the rod |46 I provide a right-angular cam pin |58 which is arranged in the path of the cam face |60 on the cam bar |26, see Figures 4, 6 and 7. Pin |58 lies in the clear of the cam face |60 when the bar |50 is positioned according to Figures 4 and 7, at which time the motor switch |32 is open. Figure 4 also illustrates the normalposition of the cam bar 26, which position is determined by reason of a brake pad |62 anchored to one end of a brake bar |64, which is pivotally connected at one end with a bolt |66 threaded into the side wall I2. 'Brake pad |62 is urged into frlctional relation with the brake cylinder ||6 by reason ,of a compression'spring |68 having one end positioned on the base I0 and its other end lying loosely in a bore |10 in the brake bar |641. Thev latter is provided with a threaded bore |12 into which an adjusting screw |14 is threaded to position its inner end against the pressure disc |16 abutting the upper end of the compression springv |68.

Precise frictional relation between the brake pad |62 and the brake' cylinder ||6 ls attained through adjustment of the screw 14, which screw is provided with a head |18 tov permit manual adjustment thereof or adjustment through the medium of a screw driver inserted in the slot |80. I provide the screw with a lock nut |82 to have frictional relation with the brake `bar |64 to hold the screw against accidental disl placement so as to maintain accurate adjustment of the screw.

The circuit through the motor |22 is closed by exerting downward pressure on the plunger |38. Such downward pressure will snap thetrip |34 to its closed position and at the same time pivot the bar 50 for bringing its pin |58 upwardly into the path of the cam face |60. Shaft I8 is rotated one complete revolution each time the plunger |38 is depressed, and during such rotation the roll 42 will be rotated in the direction of the arrow 96 for advancing the web 28. Figure 4 illustrates the position of the cam face |60 at the time that the plunger |38 is depressed, after which the cam bar |26 is rotated in the direction of the arrow |30. During such rotation the cam face |60 is brought into camming relation with the pin |58 for pivoting the bar |50 and elevating the plunger |38 to bring the trip |34 back to its normal or open position. Conventional switch trips are influenced by spring tension in the two positions of the trip in suicient degree to yieldingly support the plunger |38 in either of its two positions. It will thus be seen that the circuit through the motor |22 is closed during partial rotation of the shaft ||8. Figure 6 illustrates the cam face |60 as having passed beyond the pin |56, at which time the switch |32 is open. The momentum of the motor armature and moving parts is such as to continue rotation of the shaft ||8 against the braking action of the brake pad |62 until the cam block |26 has been moved back to its normal position of Figure 4.

In Figure 4, the hook 98 is in engagement with one of the teeth 88, while Figure 6 illustrates the hook 98 as having been pushed beyond the adjacent tooth |84 but the hook is prevented from engagement with the tooth |66 because of the edge |88 on the bar |00 which engages the teeth 88 in such manner as to hold the hook 98 out of reach of the second tooth it may pass, so that on reverse movement of the bar |00 the hooln will be brought. into engagement with the tooth |84 for rotating the roll 42 one tooth at a time, which rotation advances the web 28 one label length at a time.

In attaching the label, the garment is placed on the work table |6 and is advanced until stopped by the backing plate |90. The garment is inserted underneath the web extension 56 and the plunger |38 depressed. As the motor is started, rotation of the brake cylinder 6 will carry with it the shaft |I2 to which I pivotally connect the lower end of a link |92, which extends upwardly and is pivotally connected at |94 with a bar |96 pivotally connected at 96 to the side wall l2. To the forward end of the bar |86 I mount a numbering device 200 normally positioned as illustrated in Figure 4 slightly above the tape extension 56 so`that the garment may easily be placed in position. Numbering device 200 may comprise any one of the many standard types in which the number is changed a digit at a time. Broadly the device 200 includes a pressure plate 202 mounted on a yoke 204 shifted upwardly relatively to the body 206 of the numbering device for uncovering the number wheels for inking bring the number wheels into printing relation with the label on the garment. Plate 202 includes an opening 208 in its face for accommodating the number wheels 2|0 as the device 200 is moved downwardly on the garment.

I prefer to mount the numbering device 200 on a bar 2|2 positioned on the bar |96 and secured thereto through the medium of a bolt 2|4. Between the Washer 2|6 underneath the head of the bolt 2|4 I position a cushioning washer 2| 8 so that the bar 2|2 may move shortdistances from the bar |96 to cushion the impact of the numbering device 200 as it is pressed against the garment. Thus the cushioning washer 2|8 provides compensation for garments purposes as well as tol and goods of different thickneses so thatsetting of the numbering device 288 to operate on the thinnestI material will also accommodate the heavier goods.

, Bar 2|2 is restrained from lateral displacement relatively of the bar |98 by reason of a pin .228 iixedly related to the bar |96 and extending into a slot 222 in the bar 2|2, see Figure 1. The numbering device 288 includes a shaft 224 positioned in a bore 226 in the bar 2|2, which bore is intersected by the slot 222 so that the shaft 224-may be clamped rmly in place through tightening of the screw 228. The inner end of' the slot 222 terminates in a bore 238 for weakening the `bar to such a degree as to permitl eective clamping thereof on the shaft 224.

Rotation of the brake cylinder H6 in the direction of the arrow |38 of Figure 4 will exertv a pull on .the link |92 for pivoting the bar |96 downwardly, which brings the plate 282 into pressure relation with the garment on the work support I6 for printing a number on the web extending across the garment. Figure 6 illustrates the numbering device 288 in pressure relation with the garment, at which time the web 28 has been advanced slightly beyond the position illustrated by the extension 56 in Figure 4, and severed at232 to provide a label 234, see Figure 6. Work table i6 is provided with a semi-rigid cushioning pad 236 lying directly underneath the number wheels 2I8 of the counting mechanism As the numering device 288 is brought into pressure relation with the garment 238 on the Work table i6, a pin 248 engages the impact head 242 of a stapling device 244 pivotally mounted on a shaft 246 carried by ears 248 associated with a bracket 258 anchored to the side plate |2. stapling unit 244 may comprise any`pne of the many suitable types of conventional stapling mechanisms and need not, therefore, be described in more detail. Figure 6 illustrates an anvil 252 mounted on the work support I6 for cooperation with the stapling mechanism 244 in the usual manner. 1

. stapling mechanism 244 has its forward end resting on a web severing blade 254, see Figures 2 and 4, and the backing plate |98 is slotted at 256, see Figure 7, to .provide accommodation for the forward end of the stapling mechanism as it is swung downwardly on the anvil 252, as illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 2 best illustrates the blade 254. The blade is pivoted at 258 to the edge 268 of the work support I6. Normally the blade 254 1 and 2. I prefer to provide the edge 268 oi.' the work support I6 with a stationary blade 268, see

Figure 2. Blade 254 has a cutting edge 218 arranged in shearing relation with the stationary blade 268 for severing the web 28 as the stapling device 244 is pivoted downwardly. Figure 8 illustrates a lat spring 212 as having one end xedly secured at 214 to the bracket 258 and its other end lying on the web guide 48, with the stapling device` 244 provided with a laterally extending .nger 216 arranged to press downwardly on the spring 212 for pivoting the web guide 48 downwardly. Thus the extension 66 is moved downwardly on the garment as the numbering device 288 and the stapling device 244 are pivoted downwardly.

Shaft 58, upon which the web guide 48 is pivotally mounted, has oneend clamped underneath a plate 218 and its other end supported in a socket 288 carried by a bar 282 screwed to the bracket 258. The convoluted spring 68 has one end anchored between the plate 218 and the side wall |2, while the other end of the spring is bent underneath the web guide. I provide the throat 58 of the web guide with a deecting plate 284 terminating in clpse relation with the roll 44 to deect the web into the guide. In threading the web into the guide. roll 44 may be pivoted away gram' Vthe roll 42 through the medium of a ngerv Figure 3 illustrates the garment portion 238 as having the label 234 attached thereto by a staple 288. Label 234 is also provided with an identication number 298. During application of the label 294, the edge 292 of the garment lies against the backing plate |98, but the blade 254 severs the web ata safe distance from the edge 292. After placement of the garment on the work support i6 a mere push on the plunger |39 sets the machinery into operation. In one rotation of the shaft H8. the numbering device 288 and the stapling device 244 are moved downwardly together with the severing blade 254. The web is severed to provide the label 234, while the latter; is effectively connected with the garment through the medium of the staple 289. At the same time, the label is provided with the identiilcation number 298. The machine stops automatically in that a partial rotation of the shaft ||8 will bring the cam Vface |68 into camming relation with the pin |58 for kicking the trip |34 for opening the circuit through the motor. Thus the garments may be easily and quickly provided with `indi-- vidual labels and the labels numbered in successive numerical order for identiiication purposes.

My device is power operated in such manner as to function efficiently in the performance of its manifold functions. The plunger |38 is so located as to enable the garment or other goods to be manipulated with both hands for positionlng purposes, in addition to being advantageously positioned so that one hand may be brought into pressure relation with the plungerfor closing the Acircuit through the motor immediately upon location of the garment. Thus I provide a machine which eliminates foot operated devices and manually actuated levers and the like for applying power. The device functions in such manner as to permit free movement of the operators feet, and the plunger is so devised as to respond to a slight pressure, in addition t having such location as to substantially render theI machine automatic in every respect.

The numbering mechanism is connected with a pivoted bar, which pivoted bar actuates the stapling mechanism, which in turn manipulates the severing blade. Thus a single operating connection between the motor and the pivoted bar is sufficient for operating all the mechanisms 1 Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, it is, of course, understood that I do not desire to limit the scope thereof to the exact details set forth except in so far as those details may be defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the type described comprising a work support, a power drive, a web guide including means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device including a pivoted supporting arm therefor, a stapling mech- V anism for attaching the label to the work, said ing means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, means for moving the numbering device and the stapling mechanism down on the label on the work, and said means for severing the web being actuated by said stapling mechanism.

3. A device of the type described comprising a work support, an electric motor driven means, a web guide including means operatively connected with said means for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, actuating means for moving-the numbering device and the stapling mechanism down on the label on the work, said means for severing the `web being actuated by said stapling mechanism,

and an operating connection between the iirst mentioned means and said actuating means.

4. A device of. the type described comprising a work support, an electric motor driven means, a web guide including means operatively connected with saidv means for moving the web across work on said work support, means forvseveringthe web to provide a label, a numbering device, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, actuating means for moving the numbering device and the stapling mechanism down on the label on the work, said means for severing the web being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an operating connection between the first mentioned means and said actuating means, and a switch for the motor located for manual reach on the work support.

5. A device of the type described comprising a vwork support, a power drive, a web guide including means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device including a pivoted supportingI arm therefor, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, said stapling mechanism being actuated by said pivl and said pivoted supporting arm.

6. vA device of the type described comprising a work support, a power-drive, a web guide including means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering'device includngra pivoted supporting arm therefor, a stapling'mechanism for attaching the label to the work, said stapling mechanism being actuated by said pivoted supporting arm and the severing device being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an electric motor connected with said power drive, an operating connection between the power drive and said pivoted supporting arm, and a switch for the motor located for manual reach on the work support.

7. A device of the type described comprising a work support, an electric motor driven means, a web guide including means operatively connected with said means for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device, a

.stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the Work, actuating means for moving the numbering device and the stapling mechanism down on the label on the work, said means for severing the web being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an operating connection between the rst mentioned means and said actuating means, a switch for the motor located for manual reach on the work support, and means actuated by said Vfirst means for opening the switch after attachment and numbering of the label.

8. A device of the type described comprising a work support, a power drive, a web guide including means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device including a pivoted supporting arm therefor, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, said stapling mechanism being actuatedl by said pivoted supporting arm and the severing device being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an electric motor connected with said power drive, an operating connection between Vthe power drive and said pivoted supporting arm, and means actuated by said rst means for opening the switch after attachment and numbering of the label.

9. A device of the type described comprising a work support, a power drive, a web guide including means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device including a piv oted supporting arm therefor, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, said stapling mechanism being actuated by said pivoted supporting arm and the severing device being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an electric motor connected with said power drive, an operating connection between the power drive and said pivoted supporting arm, means actuated by said iirst means for opening the switch after attachment and numbering of the label, and a speed reducer interposed between the motor 1 and the power drive.'v

10. A device of the type described comprising a work support, an electricmotor driven means, a web guide including means operatively connected with said means for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a numbering device, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, actuating means forv moving the numbering device andthe stapling vmechanism down on the label on the work, said means for severing the web being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an operating connection between the rst mentioned means and said actuating means, and means for braking motor driven means after attachment and numbering of. the label.

11. A device of the type described comprising a work support, an electric motor driven means, a web guide including means operatively connected with said means for moving the web ,across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a marking device, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, actuating means for moving the marking device and the stapling mechanism down on the label on the work, said means for severing the web being actuated by said staplng mechanism, and an operating connection between the rst mentioned means and said actuating means.

12. A device of the type described comprising a Work support, a power drive, a web guide including means operatively connected with said power drive for moving the web across work on said work support, means for severing the web to provide a label, a marking device including a pivoted supporting arm therefor, a stapling mechanism for attaching the label to the work, said stapling mechanism being actuated by said pivoted supporting arm and the severing device being actuated by said stapling mechanism, an electric motor connected with said power drive, and an operating connection between the power drive and said pivoted supporting arm,

WENTWORTH S. HINES. 

